Postdoc in Evolutionary Systems Biology

About us

The VIB-UGent Center for Plant Systems Biology (PSB ) is a world-leading plant science institute with the mission to unravel the biology of plants and use the insights gained to improve the sustainability of agriculture and the climate change resilience of crops. The Maere lab at PSB () is active in the fields of computational biology evolutionary genomics and plant systems biology. Current research topics include developing a single-plant omics strategy to unravel the molecular wiring of plant phenotypes studying dosage balance-sensitive genes in plants and modeling the evolution of transcriptional systems in silico.

We are currently looking for a talented postdoc to join our team in the context of a project funded by the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO) in which we will model the effects of whole-genome duplication on the evolution of transcriptional systems.

Project description

Whole-genome duplications (WGDs) have been found all over the plant kingdom as well as e.g. in yeast and animal lineages. WGDs have been associated with increased speciation adaptation to changed environments domestication of plants and yeasts and the origin or elaboration of evolutionary the context of ongoing climate change WGDs may be a crucial mechanism to help plants and other organisms adapt. However the evidence supporting these hypotheses is mostly circumstantial and the molecular mechanisms by which WGD might influence the adaptability and evolvability of organisms remain understudied. The effects of WGD on the evolution of molecular systems have until now only been studied with highly abstracted models. A more detailed modeling approach inspired on the engineering-type approaches used in molecular systems biology is needed to get mechanistic insight into the impact of WGDs on the evolution of molecular this project we will use a mechanistic sequence-based genotype-phenotype mapping model in combination with population-based evolutionary simulations to study the evolution of transcriptional systems after WGD. We will in particular study whether and under which circumstances polyploids exhibit a short-term adaptive advantage compared to their diploid progenitors and whether and how WGD increases long-term evolvability. Based on our simulation results we will dissect which molecular and evolutionary mechanisms influence the adaptability and evolvability of diploids and polyploids.

Your profile

• You have a PhD in Computational Biology Evolutionary Biology (Bio)Engineering Mathematics or Physics.
• You have expertise in dynamical systems modeling (ODEs) and machine learning and very strong programming skills (Java Python).
• A background in evolutionary genomics research is a strong plus as is previous experience in the genome duplication research field.
• You have an outstanding publication record in peer-reviewed international journals.
• You are fluent in English (spoken and written).
• You are meticulous well-organized responsible and self-critical.
• You have a passion for science and you can think outside the box.

Our offer

• A 4-year postdoc position with an attractive salary.
• An exciting work environment in a top research institute.
• The opportunity to be part of a dynamic interdisciplinary and international team.
• A challenging fundamental research project.
• Ample opportunity to learn new skills.

How to apply

Please apply via the VIB online career portal ( and include a detailed CV a letter of motivation and the contact details of two referees.

Applications are accepted until the position is filled.

For more information contact Steven Maere ().